Portable sink container with modified drain

ABSTRACT

In one example embodiment, the present invention is a portable container for use in a sink. The sink has predetermined inner dimensions and a sink drain. The sink drain has an inlet with predetermined inner dimensions. The container comprises a bottom, sides, and a top opening. The container bottom has a drain. The container bottom and sides are formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the sink such that the container may substantially fit in the sink. The container drain protrudes outwardly from the container bottom with an outlet. The outlet has outer dimensions substantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the sink drain inlet such that the container drain outlet may substantially fit in the sink drain inlet. And, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the container drain comprises a means for temporarily sealing the container drain with the sink drain so as to minimize possible leakage between the container drain and the sink drain.

REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to, and is a continuation-in-part of copendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/799,901 filed on May 4, 2010entitled PORTABLE SINK CONTAINER.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to open top portable containers such aspots, pans and small tubs etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable open top containers such as pots, pans and small tubs have beenaround for thousands of years, and used for various purposes includingcarrying and or containment of items in solid and/or liquid forms, andfor washing or cleaning something in containment. The latter beingcontemplated herein whereby one may be able to wash or clean somethingwith a washing agent such as water in a container and thus contain thewashing agent and any washing residue in the container. For example, ifone was painting with latex paint using rollers and a brush and wantedto clean the rollers and brush, it's common to wash paint rollers andbrushes in a household sink with water. This usually makes a big messleaving paint and washing residue in the sink, thus requiring the sinkto be thoroughly cleaned after the rollers and brushes are cleaned. Now,If one were to use a small open top container placed in the sink, thiscould minimize the mess and reduce paint and washing residue in thesink, but the paint and washing residue would still end up in the sinkif the container were overfilled and/or emptied into the sink when done.Also, the container would still have to be washed out with a cleaningagent that would still require the cleaning of the sink if the containerwas washed in the sink. Accordingly, there need for a container that maybe used for carrying and/or containment of items in solid and/or liquidforms and for washing or cleaning item(s) in containment, with the addedprovision(s) to control overfill, disposal of washing agent(s) andresidue, and cleaning of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one example embodiment, the present invention is a portable containerfor use in a kitchen sink. The kitchen sink has predetermined innerdimensions and a sink drain. The sink drain has an inlet withpredetermined inner dimensions. The container comprises a bottom, sides,and a top opening. The bottom has a drain. The container bottom andsides are formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined innerdimensions of the sink such that the container may substantially fit inthe sink. The container drain protrudes outwardly from the containerbottom with an outlet. The outlet has outer dimensions substantiallyequal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the sinkdrain inlet such that the container drain outlet may substantially fitin the sink drain inlet. And, in some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the container drain comprises a means for temporarilysealing the container drain with the sink drain so as to minimizepossible leakage between the container drain and the sink drain.

Considering the present invention above, Applicant considers thefollowing objectives.

It is an important objective of the present invention that it bestructured for carrying items in solid and/or liquid forms.

It is another important objective of the present invention that it bestructured for containment (at least temporarily) of items in solidand/or liquid forms.

It is another important objective of the present invention that it bestructured for washing and cleaning items therein.

It is another important objective of the present invention that somepreferred embodiments be structured small enough to substantially fit ina sink; and, be structured large enough for cleaning standard size paintrollers therein.

It is another important objective of the present invention that thecontainer drain comprises a means for temporarily sealing the containerdrain with the sink drain so as to minimize possible leakage between thecontainer drain and the sink drain.

It is yet another objective of the present invention that it becost-efficient to manufacture and commercially viable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more fully understood when the specificationherein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front cross-section view of a sink.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the sink shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front cross-section view of a present invention portable,sink container.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the present invention portable, sinkcontainer shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the present invention portable sink container shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, positioned in the sink shown in FIGS. 1 and 2respectively.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 each show a different, example of a presentinvention portable, sink container.

FIG. 11 shows a front cross-section view of a present invention portablesink container with modified drain.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the present invention portable sinkcontainer shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a front cross-section view of the present inventionportable sink container with modified drain shown in FIGS. 11 and 12positioned in the sink shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various drawings provided herein are for the purpose of illustratingpossible embodiments of the present invention and not for the purpose oflimiting same. Therefore, the drawings herein represent only a few ofthe many possible embodiments, variations and/or applications of thepresent invention.

Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2 together, FIG. 1 shows a frontcross-section view of a sink, and, FIG. 2 shows a top view of the sinkshown in FIG. 1. Sink 1 is rectangular with inner length dimension D2,and inner width dimension D1. As will be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, these D1and D2 dimensions are important and will influence certain dimensions ofthe present invention portable sink container shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.Sink 1 has a drain 3 with an inlet 5. Inlet 5 is round and has a widthdimension D3. As will be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, this D3 dimension isalso important and will influence certain dimensions of presentinvention portable sink container shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 together, FIG. 3 shows a frontcross-section view of a present invention portable sink container; and,FIG. 4 shows a top view of the present invention portable sink containershown in FIG. 3. Portable sink container 21 has a bottom 23 and foursides 25, 27, 29 and 31. In this embodiment of the present invention,portable sink container 21 is rectangular with length dimension D5 andwidth dimension D6. Container 21 also has a drain 35 with an outlet 37which has an outer dimension D7 as shown. In this embodiment of thepresent invention, drain 35 is provided means for straining solid matterfrom exiting the container thereof with straining holes such asstraining hole 39. Container 21 may be used for carrying or containmentof items in solid and/or liquid forms; and or, may be used for washingand cleaning something therein. In this embodiment, container 21 ismolded from a plastic material with an upper lip 33 for rigidity to becost-efficient and commercially viable. Nonetheless, this is simply oneexample embodiment and there are many other materials and/ormanufacturing methods that could also be used.

FIGS. 5 and 6 together show the present invention portable sinkcontainer shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, positioned in the sink shown in FIGS.1 and 2 respectively. Some of the reference numbers shown in the earlierviews are intentionally omitted so as not to crowd the drawings.Container 21 has its bottom and sides formed with outer dimensions lessthan the predetermined inner dimensions of sink 1 so that container 21may substantially fit in kitchen sink 1. Therefore, when looking back atFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 together, dimension D5 of container 21 is less thandimension D2 of sink 1; and, dimension D6 of container 21 is less thandimension D1 of sink 1 so that container 21 may substantially fit insink 1. This is an important feature of the present invention portablesink container that it's bottom and sides are formed with outerdimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the kitchensink(s) it is intended to substantially fit in. Although preferredembodiments of the present invention container are structured tosubstantially fit within a kitchen sink, it's not necessary for theentire container to fit within the sink. For example, a container mayhave an enlarged upper end, a rolled outer edge or lip that may extendoutside the inner dimensions of a sink and over the top surface of asink while the bottom and sides of the container substantially fit inthe sink. Such an embodiment does not depart from the scope of thepresent invention. Also, the height of the present invention portablesink container need not fit totally within the sink but may be taller(or shorter) than the sink, provided that the container does notobstruct use of a faucet attached to the sink. Many household kitchensinks have a standard top opening with at least one across widthdimension of about 16 inches. Accordingly, if the present inventionportable sink container is to substantially fit in a common kitchen sinkwith a standard top opening, the container would have at least one outerwidth dimension equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches.

Also, in FIG. 5 it can be seen that the outlet 37 of drain 35 ofcontainer 21 fits within the inlet of drain 3 of sink 1. Accordingly, ifa container is structured to substantially fit in a common sink, and,the container has a drain outlet structured to substantially fit in thedrain inlet of the sink, then one can wash something in the containerusing a sink faucet (not shown) and the water and washing residue wouldeffectively drain out the container drain and right into the sink drain.Such a container device would keep a sink clean and eliminate the needto clean the sink after something is cleaned in the container. Sincemany kitchen sinks have a standard size drain with an inlet of about 3.5inches across, the outlet of the present invention portable sinkcontainer should be less than 4 inches across, and more preferably equalto or less than 3.5 inches across so that the drain outlet of thecontainer can substantially fit within the inlet of a common sink.

Applicant contemplates many uses for the present invention portable sinkcontainer including the washing and cleaning of various items includingfor example paint brushes and rollers. It's common for people to washtheir paint brushes and rollers in a kitchen sink, which makes a bigmess in the kitchen sink requiring a thorough cleaning of the kitchensink after the brushes and rollers are cleaned. The present inventionportable sink container eliminates this requirement. Since cleaning ofpaint rollers and brushes is considered, some embodiments of the presentinvention container should be large enough for a 9 inch standard paintroller to be cleaned lying down therein. Accordingly, in some preferredembodiments of the present invention portable sink container, thecontainer has at least one inner across width dimension equal to orgreater than 9 inches to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inchpaint roller lying down. And as mentioned before, many common kitchensinks have a standard top opening with at least one across widthdimension of about 16 inches. So, if the present invention portable sinkcontainer is to substantially fit in a kitchen sink, and, the containerbe large enough to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inch paintroller laying down, such an embodiment of the present inventioncontainer would have to be structured having at least one inner widthdimension equal to or greater than nine (9) inches; and, at least oneouter width dimension equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches.

Applicant further contemplates some embodiments of the present inventionhaving special features such as cavities and protrusions to facilitatedrainage and drying of a roller or rollers in an upright position.Applicant further contemplates some embodiments of the present inventionhaving special features such as hooks or devices on the sidewalls (notshown) to temporarily hold a brush in an upright position for drainageand drying. Applicant further contemplates some preferred embodiments ofthe present invention having means for temporarily stopping drainagefrom the container by means of a drain plug that could be physicallyconnected to the container as shown in FIG. 10, or a valve type devicebuilt into or a separate component of the container drain, etc.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 each show a different, example of a presentinvention portable, sink container. FIG. 7 shows a round container withmolded built in drain and straining slots. FIG. 8 shows an oval shapedcontainer with drain and straining holes. FIG. 9 shows a rectangularcontainer with side handles to facilitate usage at a work site, and adrain with straining holes and structural provisions to temporarily holdtwo paint rollers upright for drying after cleaning. And, FIG. 10 showsa square container with a non-centered drain with straining holes. Thecontainer also has a drain plug attached to a plastic chain for stoppingdrainage from the container as desired by a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12 together, FIG. 11 shows a frontcross-section view of a another embodiment of the present inventionportable sink container; and, FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the presentinvention portable sink container shown in FIG. 11. Portable sinkcontainer 121 has a bottom 123 and four sides 125, 127, 129 and 131. Inthis embodiment of the present invention, portable sink container 121 isrectangular with length dimension D9 and width dimension D13. Container121 also has a drain 135 with an outlet 137 which has an outeracross-width dimension D11 as shown. In this embodiment of the presentinvention, drain 135 is provided means for straining solid matter fromexiting the container thereof with straining holes such as straininghole 139. A sealing means 141 is used for temporarily sealing containerdrain 135 with a sink drain such as sink drain 3 of sink 1 (shown bestin FIG. 13) to minimize possible leakage between the container drain 135and a sink drain while the container is utilized in a sink.

FIG. 13 shows the present invention portable sink container shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, positioned in the sink shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Some ofthe reference numbers shown in the earlier views are intentionallyomitted so as to not crowd the drawings. Container 121 has its bottomand sides formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined innerdimensions of kitchen sink 1 so that container 121 may substantially fitin kitchen sink 1. Therefore, when looking back at FIGS. 1, 2, 11 and 12together, dimension D9 of container 121 is less than dimension D2 ofsink 1; and, dimension D13 of container 121 is less than dimension D1 ofsink 1 so that container 121 may substantially fit in kitchen sink 1.This is an important feature of the present invention portable sinkcontainer that it's bottom and sides are formed with outer dimensionsless than the predetermined inner dimensions of the kitchen sink(s) itis intended to substantially fit in. Although preferred embodiments ofthe present invention container are structured to substantially fitwithin a kitchen sink, it's not necessary for the entire container tofit within the sink. For example, a container may have an enlarged upperend, a rolled outer edge or lip that may extend outside the innerdimensions of a sink and over the top surface of a sink while the bottomand sides of the container substantially fit in the sink. Also, theheight of the present invention portable sink container need not fittotally within the sink but may be taller (or shorter) than the sink,provided that the container does not obstruct use of a faucet attachedto the sink. Such an embodiment does not depart from the scope of thepresent invention. It can also be seen in FIG. 13 that the outlet 137 ofdrain 135 of container 121 fits within the inlet of drain 3 of sink 1.Accordingly, if a container is structured to substantially fit in acommon sink, and, the container has a drain outlet structured tosubstantially fit in the drain inlet of the sink, then one can washsomething in the container using a sink faucet and water (not shown) andthe water and any washing residue would effectively run out thecontainer drain and right into the sink drain. Such a container devicewould keep a sink clean and eliminate the need to clean the sink aftersomething is cleaned in the container. Since many kitchen sinks in theU.S.A. for example have a standard size drain with an inlet of about 3.5inches across, the drain outlet of the present invention portable sinkcontainer for distribution in the U.S.A. should have an across-widthdimension that is preferably less than 4 inches across, and morepreferably less than 3.5 inches across so that the drain outlet of thecontainer drain can substantially fit within the inlet of a commonkitchen sink in the U.S.A. In this embodiment of the present invention,drain 135 of container 121 comprises a sealing means 141 for temporarilysealing container drain 135 with sink drain 3 of sink 1 so as tominimize the potential of leakage, backsplash, etc. between thecontainer drain 135 and sink drain 3 while container 121 is utilized insink 1. In this embodiment, sealing means 141 is simply an elasticrubber ring with an across-width diameter slightly greater than theacross-width diameter of the sink drain (D3 in FIG. 1) so that sealingmeans 141 may conform to and temporarily seal with sink drain 3 of asink 1. Nonetheless, in other embodiments the sealing means couldinclude more than one rubber ring, and/or be made of materials otherthan rubber, etc. The drain of the present invention sink containerprotrudes out from the bottom of the container so it will protrude intoa sink drain such as sink drain 3 of sink 1 shown in this FIG. 13. Inthis embodiment of the present invention, drain 135 is molded as part ofcontainer 121, however, in other embodiments the drain could be aseparate component attached and sealed to the container. It's alsopossible to have the drain made form a thin elastic material whereby thedrain may pop down and protrude from the bottom when utilized, and popback up so the bottom of the container is flat when not in use. Thiswould be similar to the spout on a five gallon can which is pulled outwhen utilized for pouring, and then pushed back in when not in use sothe top of the can is flat for stacking with other cans. In addition,the drain of the present invention portable sink container may beprovided means for temporarily stopping drainage from the container.That means could simply be a drain plug or a valve type device that ispart of or attached to container drain, etc.

Applicant contemplates many uses for the present invention portable sinkcontainer including the washing and cleaning of various items includingfor example paint brushes and rollers. It's common for people to washtheir paint brushes and rollers in a kitchen sink, which makes a bigmess in the kitchen sink requiring a thorough cleaning of the kitchensink after the brushes and rollers are cleaned. The present inventionportable sink container eliminates this requirement. Since the cleaningof paint rollers and brushes is considered, some embodiments of thepresent invention container should be large enough for a 9 inch standardroller to be cleaned lying down therein. Accordingly, in some preferredembodiments of the present invention portable sink container, thecontainer has at least one inner across width dimension equal to orgreater than 9 inches to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inchpaint roller lying down. And as mentioned before, many kitchen sinkshave a standard top opening with at least one across width dimension ofabout 16 inches. So, if the present invention portable sink container isto substantially fit in a kitchen sink, and, the container be largeenough to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inch paint rollerlaying down, such an embodiment of the present invention container wouldhave to be structured having at least one inner width dimension equal toor greater than nine (9) inches; and, at least one outer width dimensionequal to or less than sixteen (16) inches.

When considering the present invention, simplicity and obviousnessshould not be confused or considered the same. Accordingly, the noveltyand complexity of the present invention must be measured by thecombination of structure and function resulting from the manyinterrelated objectives set forth herein.

Upon reading and understanding the specification of the presentinvention described above, modifications and alterations will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all suchmodifications and alterations be included insofar as they come withinthe scope of the patent as claimed or the equivalence thereof.

1. A portable container for use in a sink, said sink havingpredetermined inner dimensions and a sink drain, said sink drain havingan inlet with predetermined inner dimensions, said container comprisinga bottom, sides, and a top opening, said bottom comprising a drain, saidcontainer bottom and sides being formed with outer dimensionssubstantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensionsof said kitchen sink such that said container may substantially fit insaid kitchen sink, said container drain protruding outwardly from saidcontainer bottom with an outlet, said outlet having outer dimensionssubstantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensionsof said sink drain inlet such that said container drain outlet maysubstantially fit in said sink drain inlet, and, said container draincomprising a means for temporarily sealing said container drain withsaid sink drain so as to minimize any possible leakage between saidcontainer drain and said sink drain while said container is utilized insaid sink.
 2. The portable container of claim 1, wherein said containerdrain outlet has at least one outer across-width dimension substantiallyequal to or less than four (4) inches.
 3. The portable container ofclaim 1, wherein said container has at least one inner across-widthdimension substantially equal to or greater than nine (9) inches.
 4. Theportable container of claim 1, wherein the container has at least oneouter across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than sixteen(16) inches.
 5. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the containerhas at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to orless than sixteen (16) inches; and, at least one inner across-widthdimension substantially equal to or greater than nine (9) inches.
 6. Theportable container of claim 1, wherein said container drain is providedmeans for straining solid matter from exiting the container thereof. 7.The portable container of claim 1, wherein said container is molded withsaid drain molded therein.
 8. The portable container of claim 1, whereinthe container is provided means for temporarily stopping drainage fromsaid drain.
 9. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the sealingmeans for temporarily sealing said container drain with said sink drainis at least one elastic ring attached to the container drain.
 10. Aportable container for use in a sink, said sink having predeterminedinner dimensions and a sink drain, said sink drain having an inlet withpredetermined inner dimensions, said container comprising a bottom,sides, and a top opening, said bottom comprising a drain, said containerbottom and sides being formed with outer dimensions substantially equalto or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of said kitchen sinksuch that said container may substantially fit in said kitchen sink,said container drain protruding outwardly from said container bottomwith an outlet, said outlet having outer dimensions substantially equalto or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of said sink draininlet such that said container drain outlet may substantially fit insaid sink drain inlet, and, said container drain comprising a means fortemporarily sealing said container drain with said sink drain so as tominimize any possible leakage between said container drain and said sinkdrain while said container is utilized in said sink, said containerhaving at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal toor less than sixteen (16) inches, said container having at least oneinner across-width dimension substantially equal to or greater than nine(9) inches, and, said container drain outlet having at least one outeracross-width dimension substantially equal to or less than four (4)inches.
 11. The portable container of claim 10, wherein said containerdrain is provided means for straining solid matter from exiting thecontainer thereof.
 12. The portable container of claim 10, wherein saidcontainer is molded with said drain molded therein.
 13. The portablecontainer of claim 10, wherein the container is provided means fortemporarily stopping drainage from said drain.
 14. The portablecontainer of claim 10, wherein the sealing means for temporarily sealingsaid container drain with said sink drain is at least one elastic ringattached to the container drain.
 15. A portable container comprising abottom, sides, and at least one outer across-width dimensionsubstantially equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches and at least oneinner across-width dimension substantially equal to or greater than nine(9) inches, said bottom comprising a drain formed protruding outwardlywith an outlet having at least one outer across-width dimensionsubstantially equal to or less than four (4) inches, and, said containerdrain having at least one elastic ring attached thereto.
 16. Theportable container of claim 15, wherein said container drain is providedmeans for straining solid matter from exiting the container thereof. 17.The portable container of claim 15, wherein said container is moldedwith said drain molded therein.
 18. The portable container of claim 15,wherein the container is provided means for temporarily stoppingdrainage from said drain.
 19. The portable container of claim 16,wherein said container is molded with said drain molded therein.
 20. Theportable container of claim 16, wherein the container is provided meansfor temporarily stopping drainage from said drain.